Pneumatic signal.



- PATENTED APR. 14, 1903; J.'H. BRADY. I PNEUMATIC SIGNAL. APPLICATIONFILED APR. 8, 1902.

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PAT E'NTED APR; 14, 1903.

J H. BRADY. PNEUMATIC SIGNAL. 1 APPLICATION FILED APR. 8., 1902.

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No. 725,402. PATENTED APR-14, 1903.

J. H. BRADY. PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1002. no MODEL. 4 sums-sum a.-

'No. 725,402. d PATBNIED APR, 14, 1903. J.H.BRADY.

PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1902.

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JOSEPH H. BRADXZ'OFKANSAS OITY, MISSOURI.

PNEUMATICSIGNAL.

SIEEGIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 725,402, dated April14., 1903.

Application filed April 8, 1902. Serial 110,101,873. (no modeli).

State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Devices for Controlling Oompressed-Air-Open. ated Signals; andI do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification. I

The objects of my invention are, first, to set in motion or communicatepower at predetermined intervals of time to signals, signs, or anyobject which requires an initial movement and to enable its recurrencewith greater or less frequency; second, to control the action ofcompressed fluids in communicating power and to utilize the fluid whichescapes to diminish pressure to the arresting of the motor; third, totransmit diminished degrees of speed from the motor to theoperating-lever releasing the power; fourth, to utilize incompressed-fluid motors the waste fluid inimparting power to anauxiliary motor; fifth, to intercept electrically between the generatorand the motor the action ofa lever con trolling the action of thesignals; sixth, to enable the piston in a fluid-impelled appara tuswhose initial movements are actuated by a motor to automatically applythe brake to the motor; seventh, to hold the brake upon a motor in amomentarily-open circuit with the generator during the action of acircuitclosing mechanism; eighth, in a compressedair-operated signal tocontrol the action of the valve between the air-receiver and the signalautomatically.

ated program-clock in an electric circuit, the

compressed-air receiver, thelever controlling the action of thecompressed air upon the signal actuated by the electric motor, and thespeed-regulating train of gear. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of theinvention as seen in Fig. 1 with the exception of the illustration ofthe compressed-air receiver, the signal and 'its motor, and theconducting-pipes for the compressed air. 'Fig. 3 is a plan view indetail of the electric motor, the speed-gear, the relay, thecompressed-air-conducting pipe leading to the signal, the combinedcut-off.

and pressure-relief val ve, the lever operating said valve and actuatedby the electric motor, the fluid motor actuated by the waste fluid fromthe relief-valve and the brake, and the controlling devices therefor onthe pistonrod of the fluid-motor. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view inelevation of the fluid-motor for the waste fluid from the compressed-airpipe,

which is supplied from an ordinary air-com pressor (not shown) throughthe supply-pipe a, said pipe being provided with a check-valve a,preventing the return of the air.

For the purpose of illustration the receiverA is shown mounted upon abracket 0& upon the outside of one of the vertical side walls b to theapartment B, the side walls b b being shown in section. -With the top aof the receiver A is connected one end of anup- Wardly-extendeddelivery-pipe 0, upon the upper end of which is a pressure-gage 0. Withthe side of pipe 0 and the elbow-joint a is connected one end of acompressed-air supply pipe c which extends outwardly a'short distance,thence bent at right angles and extended downwardly to a position upon aline with the upper surface of the floor-line b of apartment B, thencehorizontally through the side wall I) and horizontally with saidfloorline about two-thirds the distance to the opposite side wall I),and isjconnected with one end of a pressure-relief and cut-01f valve D,

which, as shown in Fig. 6, consists of the easing (1, ports (2 d, andthe escape-opening (Z in the top in the valve-casing d, which openingreceives one end fof a waste or discharge pipe F, hereinafter described.

(1 is the automatically-operated valve-plug, upon the outer end of whichis a lever (Z the upper end of which moves in the arc of a circlebetween the outwardly-curved parallel guide'bars, (Z d, which aresupported by the standards (1 d ateach end. With the other end of thevalve-casing d is connected one end of the pipe (1 which extendshorizontally upon the floor-line b from its position near valve D towithin a short distance of the side wall 1) upon the opposite side ofthe apartment, thence extended upwardly at a suitable distance above thefloor Z), thence bent at right angles at d, and a portion 61 extendedhorizontally above the portion (Z of the airconducting pipe, thence bentat right angles at d and extended upwardly nearly the height of saidapartment, and an elbow (Z connected with said end. \Vith the elbow (Zis connected the fluid-motel E, which consists of a hollow cylinder ofthe proper-size, one end 6 of which is integral with the sides of thecylinder, the other end being screw-threaded, and upon said endis ascrew-threaded flanged cap 6, in which is a screw-threaded neck 6 whichis fitted to the screw-threaded end of a short pipe 6 connected with theelbow (Z Vtithin the cylinder and normally near the end 6 is a piston c,with which is connected one end of a piston-rod e the other end of whichrod extends through the end 6 of the cylinder E. Between the piston eand the forward end of the cylinder is a spiral spring 6, which extendsaround the piston-rod and bears against the piston and serves toenergize the back pressure of the compressed air when the air isreleased.

F represents the signal, which consists of an ordinary gong or hell f,secured to the board f and upon which is a spring-actuated pivotedhammer f worked by the pivoted leverf with which it contacts and makesthe sound or gives an alarm in the well-known manner. With the lever isconnected one end of a pivoted rod f, the other end of which rod ispivotally connected with the pistonrod e of the motor E. The waste-pipeF extends upwardly a short distance above the valve D and is bent atright angles atf and extended horizontally above the portion 0 of thecompressed-air'conducting pipe and connected with the rear end of afluid-motor G, in the cylinder of which is a piston g, with which pistonis connected one end of a piston-rod g, which rod extends through theforward end of the cylinder. Upon the cylinder G, at the rear end ofsaid cylinder, is an airescape cook 9 which relieves the back pressureon the piston in the cylinder in the return stroke.

I-I represents a frame for supporting the operativemechanismtotheleverdhTheframe upon the forward ends of said bases, which are proportionatelyless in height. In the upper ends of the standards 7L 7&2 at the rearend of the base-plates h hare journaled the ends of a transverse shaft7L upon which shaft is a large gear-wheel I. Upon the end of shaft 7L3which extends rcarwardly through the standard 77, and a short distancefrom the rear side of said standard is a crank-shaft h. Upon the upperand outer side of the lever d" is a pin (Z With the pin (Z is connectedone end of a bar which is provided with a hook (2 which passes over thepin d. The forward end of bar 61 is pivotally connected with thecrank-arm 77. in the shaft 7L3. Journaled in the upper ends of thestandards adjoining the rear standards If 71 is a shaft 77. upon whichis journaled a gear-wheel K, similar in circumference to the wheel I.Upon the shaft h is a small spur-wheel L, and which engages thegeanwheel I. Upon the upper ends of the forward standards 71/ 71. isjournaled a transverse shaft [L5 n on which is a spur-gear M, with whichengages the gear K. Upon shaft h is a gear N, which is about onehalf thecircumference of the gear K.

0 represents an electric motor of the usual well-known type, and 0 isthe motor-shaft, which is supported by an upright 0', adjacent to themotor. The motor 0 is mounted upon a base 0 horizontal with the floor.Upon the base 0 is a column 0 which extends upwardly and supports themotor 0 the proper height for the transmission of power to the train ofgear, the shaft 0 extending transversely to the gear N and a shortdistance forward of said gear. Upon the shaft 0 is a spur-gear P, withwhich meshes the gear on the gear-wheel N. The rear end of the shaft 0is journaled in the upper end of an upright or standard R, which isarranged in position a short distance in rear of thecompressed-air-conducting pipe 0 and transversely to the motorO. Fromthe standard R extends rearwardly an extension 7', having a flat surfaceand to which is secured the fluid-motor G by means of the straps g g Thebrake mechanism for the piston-rod g of the fluid'motor G consists of aband-wheel S, which is keyed to the shaft 0, and which wheel has a broadperiphery upon which is a friction-belt s, composed of brass fastenedwith leather, which extends over aportion of the periphery of the wheel.

T is a brake-strap upon the outer surface of the belt 3, which iscomposed of springsteel. \Nith one end of the strap T is connectedrigidly the upper end of a brake bar orlcvcr t, the lower end of whichbar extends downwardly to a position opposite the end of the piston-rodg of the fluid-motor G and is pivotally connected at t with the side andrear end of the horizontal bar 25 Upon the forward end of the piston-rodg is a forked plate 25 with which is pivotally connected one end of ashort plate the other end of which plate is pivotally connected with thepivot t and upon the opposite side of the bar 15 with which the bar 15is connected. Upon the other end of the steel brake-strap T is a loop 15Extending from the forward side of the standard R isa bracket r uponwhich is a pin r over which is passed the loop t of the strap T.

U represents a standard a short distance forward of the standard R andin line therewith, upon the upper end and forward side of which isrigidly connected the insulated plate it. With the upper portion of theplate to is pivotally connected the upper end of a swinging metal bar Mthe lower end of which bar is pivotally connected with the forward endof the horizontal bar 25 connected with the piston-rod g of thefluid-motor G. Upon plate U is a platinum pole-plate to, and upon theside of bar 162 is a platinum plate tl/ ,WhiOl1 comes in to contact withthe plate it when said bar is normally at rest. These plates are broughtwithin an electric circuit, as hereinafter described.

V represents the generator of electricity for the time mechanism andwhich, as illustrated, comprises a seriesof storage or cell batteries cc o '0, located upon the bracket '0 which is upon the rear wall ofapartment B and at the highest point of elevation above the floor. Thecells are connected, as usual, in series, and from the opposite endcells extend the separate cond ucting-wires 12 o Upon the rear wall ofthe apartment is theelectricallyoperated time mechanism or program-clockW, of the ordinary and well-known description, the hour-hand w andminute-hand w opening and closing the circuit. Upon the side of theclock W are the binding-posts 10 10 with which are connected the branchconducting-wires w 10 which wires are connected, respectively, with theconducting-wires 01 if of the batteries V.

X represents a relay or switch of the ordinary and well-knowndescription, which is arranged upon the bracket 00 upon the side wall I)of the apartment. The ends of the conducting-wires '0 e are connectedwith the magnetic plates m 00 at the rear end of the relay X. Withthebinding posts or poles 00 m at the forward end are connected thebranch wires 0: 00 which are also connected with the binding-posts 0 0of the electric motor 0. With the binding-posts 00* m of the relay arealso connected the inner ends of conducting-wires 11 y the outer ends ofwhich wires extend to and are connected with agenerator of electricity(not shown in the drawings) and which supplies the usual source of powerto a street system of light and power and is known herein, in connectionwith the motor, as the main current or electric circuit. a

Y is an ordinary incandescent lamp upon the wall of the apartment, withwhich is com nected the branchwiresy y,-leading from the poles 01 00 atthe forward end of the relay X. 2 2 are branch wires connected at theirupperends with the wires t e onewire, t being connected at its lower endwith the upper end of the vibrating bar 71/ on the plate t and the otherwire, W, with the contact-plate it on said plate u, the circuit when theplates n u are in contact being normally closed.

In operation the tank A is supplied with compressed air from an ordinarycompressor.

The valve 0 in the-pipe c is then opened, admitting the air underpressure to the valve D, where it is held in check until the'exact timethe signal or gong is to be sounded. The ordinary contact-points uponthe minutehand of the program-clock W, upon reaching rent passes throughthe conducting-wire w through the clock and the wire 10 thenceto theforward end of the relay X, causing the vibrating plate ar to close intothe mercurycups at 00 and act as switch'to the motor 0, thus openingcommunication through the branch wires 00 00 to the poles o o of themotor 0 and at the same time through the branch wires y y to theincandescent lamp Y. Power from the motor 0 is transmitted through thespur-gear P on the motor-shaft to thebrakewheel S and to the train ofgear M, K, and I, and a slower degree of speed is transmitted and therotation of the wheel I effected within thetime the circuit-closinghands of'theclock are in contact, and the power iscommunicated throughthe crank-shaft h and the connecting-bar (1 with the lever d andtheupper end of said leveris moved forwardly,

opening theports in thevalveD for the passage therethrough of thecompressed air, which instantly passes through the pipe d and d to themotor E, the piston-rodof which is moved outwardly by the action of thecompressed air upon the piston, and the lever f strikes the gong f andgiving the signal during the time the minute-hand is upon the contact.As soon as the forward strokeof the lever d is accomplished and theleveris returned to its limit of'movementin'a rearpiston is moved forward,compressing the spring therein and forcing the piston-rod g forward,which action moves the brake bar or lever t of the brake-strap Tforward, and drawing upon said strap the leather band is brought inclose contact with the periphery of Wheel S, and the movement of saidwheel is arrested and also the movement of the motor-shaft 0, and theswinging bar a is movedforward by the bar 15 into the position seen indotted lines in Fig. 4, and the plate u on said bar is moved fromcontact with the contact-plate w, and the circuit is opened from thegenerator and clock and the relay X, cutting out the incandescent lightY and the motor 0 and stopping the action of the motor. The minute-handof the programclock then moves away from the contact upon the clock atthe hour of twelve or an hour or part of an hour, and the circuit isopened through the clock. The action of the spring in the cylinder Gcauses the piston g to move rearwardly, and the air escapes through thecock g and the piston being thus relieved the brake-strap T releases itstension on the wheel S, and the swinging bar 202 moves backward inposition until the plates 11/10 are again in contact and a circuit iscompleted through the branch wires e 2 In the back pressure of the airfrom the motor E in the form of motor herein employed to actuate thesignal the spring in said motor acts against the air and assists in itsexpulsion from the pipe 01 Other forms of fluidmotor may, however, beemployed, in which the back pressure is reinforced by the initialpressure from the receiver .and the power employed of the compressed airto actuate the opening and closing'of electric circuits or such otherdevices as are applicable to the purpose.

The frequency of the action of the signals at stated periods iscontrolled by the time mechanism or program-clock. The lever (Z may beremoved from engagement with the hook d on lever d when required and thelever employed by hand to relieve the compressed air against the valveD. It is obvious that the incandescent lamp may be omitted from theelectric circuit, its offlce being to indicate the strength of thecircuit. That from the battery V being a gentle current will not burnout the time mechanism or clock.

Such modifications of the invention may be employed as are within thescope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I now claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In pneumatic signaling devices, a receiver for the fluid undercompression, at cylinder and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder,a piston rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of air connectedwith said receiver and also with said cylinder, a

combined cut-oft and back-pressure relief? valve in said conductor, avalve-stem, a lever connected with said stem, a motor and its shaft andspeed-changing mechanism substantially as described for operating saidlever in power connection with said shaft.

2. In pneumatic signals, a receiver for the fluid under compression, acylinder and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, a piston-rod, asignal actuated thereby, a conductor of the fluid connected with saidreceiver and also with said cylinder, a combined cut-0d andback-pressure relief-valve in said conductor, a valve-stem, a leverconnected with said stem, a motor and its shaft, a brake and abrake-operating lever, and means substantially as described for changingthe degrees of speed communicated by the motor to the brake-operatinglever.

3. In a pneumatic signaling apparatus, a receiver for the fluid undercompression, and a cylinder, a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder,a piston rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of air connectedwith said receiver and also with said cylinder, a combined cut-oft andback-pressure reliefvalve in said conductor, a pneumatic-brakeoperatingcylinder and its piston, and a conductor of air connected with thecut-01f and back-pressure relief-valve and energizing the piston in thebrake-operating cylinder.

4. In a pneumatic signaling apparatus, a receiver for the fluid undercompression, and a cylinder, a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder,a piston rod, a signal actuated thereby, a conductor of the fluidconnected with said receiver and also with said cylinder, a combinedcut-off and back-pressure relief-valve in said conductor, a valve-stem,a pneumatic-brake-operating cylinder and its piston and a conductor ofair connected with the pressure-relief valve and also energizing thepiston in the brake-operating cylinder, and a power-actuated leveroperating said valve-stem.

5. In signaling apparatus, a signal, a lever actuating the signal, amotor and its shaft, a brake and a brake-operatinglever, andspeedchanging devices actuated by the shaft of the motor andcommunicating power to and operating said brake-operating lever.

6. A pneumatic apparatus for signals, 850., comprising a signal, areceiver for compressed fluid, and a fluid-conductor, a combined cutcitand back-pressure relief-valve in the conductor, a lever operating saidvalve, a cylinder connected with said conductor, a piston within saidcylinder and apiston-rod actuating the signal, a motor and its shaft,and power-conveying devices connected with the motor-shaft and saidvalve-operating lever, a separate cylinder for the back pressure of thefluid released by the valve, and a spring-retracted piston in saidcylinder, and a piston rod, and a conductor of the fluid connected withsaid cylinder and the said cut-oft and back-pressure valve, and a brakeupon the shaft of the motor connected with the pistonrod.

7. In pneumatic devices for operating signals, a conductor of the fluidunder compression, and a combined cut-off and back-pressure relief-valvein said conductor, a lever operating said valve, and a motor and itsshaft, power-conveying devices connected with the motor-shaft and saidlever, a cylinder receiving the fluid discharged by the pressure-reliefvalve, and a spring-retracted piston in said cylinder, and a piston-rod,a conductor of the fluid connected with said cylinder, and saidrelief-valve, a brake on the motor-shaft, and a vibrating support forsaid brake connected with the piston-rod in said cylinder, and suitablemeans for arresting the movements of the vibrating support automaticallyand thereby arresting the action of the motor.

'8. A compressed-air-controlled signaling apparatus comprising areceiver for compressed air, a signal, a cylinder, a spring-retractedpiston insaid cylinder, a piston-rod actuating said signal, a conductorof combrake, and also connected with the piston-rod in the cylinder forthe back pressure of com l pressed air, and a vibrating bar connectedwith the brake-operating bar, suitable means for arresting the action ofthe said bar auto-- matically and thereby arresting the action of themotor, and speed-changing mechanism controlling the action of said leverintermittently.

JOSEPH I-I. BRADY. Witnesses:

THEO. O. SPARKS, WALTER J. ADAMS,

